Polycycle



Jam 23, 1923; 11,443,130.

M. G. HILPERT.

POLYCYCLE.

FILED MAR. 27, 1920. s SHEETS-SHEE1 1.

Patented den. .23, 19323.

MEIER GEO. HILPE RT, O HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

PoLYoYoLn.

Application filed March 27, 1920. Serial No. 369l265 T0 aZZw/ wm e't maycoawcwz: u

Be it known. that l, Minna {la .l'liLPn-itr, citizen of the UnitedStates, re, lug atl'larrishurg, in the county 0t Dauphin end State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPolycycles, of

i which the following is a specification.

. lli iSll'ill for .ruch iuljustinent Whether one This invention relatesto thcgeneral subject of toys, andhas particular reference to anlITJI'JIOVGHlEll'L in juvenile vehicles of the polycycle type. J i

'lfo thisend the lllVQIllllUll has primarily in View a. noyel devicewhich may not only he uljusted to meet the in, oi? the growing child butat the same time, by reason of its novel constructionmay be convertedinto d. renttypes of toys, thereby providing a d ereit-y of amusementwhich other toys oi this type fail to all'ord. That is to say, the

invention aims to provide a device fulfilling the requi-reuieuto of apolycycle which may he djusted from a s isuitahle tor a child ofohe yearto? inst nee, to sizes :l'or child rcu oi? older y mm, and, alsoconverted into izdjustahle carts 01 chariots to he pulled inslcad oi?nropelled, and turthei, with the luuidleadjusted rigidly, may he used inthe latter tot-in as a scooter which the occupant propels with. one footwhile occupying a standing positioi'i on 'iiliiiflilli'lOIlD.

The invention also oiuhodies auxiliary benefits when set up as apolycycle such asv safety tops to prevent child sli oping oilhacla ward,'u'icreiused wheel has-e as the seat is increased in height, increasedhandle height aho e or platform to to to care oi trunk and arm growthcoincidei ally With an increased platform height to take care ofincreased leg length, a suitable toot hold 01' rest i or a second tailhoard .ccupant which hourd also affords tag nuniher space; and when setup as a cart, benefits, such in; safety gajuards against oci'tupantcoming in contact with moving Wheels, numerous level adjust- .iucutsadaptable to hill grades and 'toel'lord coiuiloi't occugant; andgenerally the important henetitot providing a toy tor the child holdinliorth Valuable Felt taugi'ot lee Mills in cons u-tion and couihinationh *ir luv oi the many levels-tonguepositions, etc.

side up or the other .ccoroingly, it Wlll be apparent that the presentinvention contemplates a convei'tihle toy which is susceptibleoiassembly in different ci'uuhiijiatious to readily provide toys oi? thetype settorth. In this connection it is proposed to provide a novelplatform unit which may he su 'iport-ed at the front end by a specialwheeled steering unit, and at the rearend by a novel type of Wheeledtruck unit, both of said Wheeled units being capable oil facile assemblyto expedite conversion and adjiistinent as desired.

A further and more specific object of the invention is toprovide adevice which may he made of easily constructed and available parts,thereby meeting manufacturing rcquirelnents in a thoroughly practicaland satisfactory manner and materially enhancing the value of theinfiention from a coininei'cial standpoint.

l ith the above and other objects in'view which Will mo: a readilyappear as the nature oi" the invention is hetteiunderstood, the. eai yieconsist in the novel construction, conihinatiou and ari'angcmcut oiparts herein-- a'ltcr more fully descrihed, illustrated and claimed. i

i preferred and. practical emhodin'lent oi": the .invcmiou shown in theiurcoinpanying; drawings, in "which i o l ig'ure l is a top plan view ofthe in1- proved toy. v

gure 2 is a side elevation thereof, the dotted lines indicating some ofthe adjusted positions.

Figure 3 is a "trout elevation of the Wheeled steering g unit.

.l igure a: is a rearelevation of the toy.

, Figure 5 is a side elevation oftlie device conver ed into a cart, lulllines lIl said figure type oi. Wheeled inoditicd iii in] otsteeriugg;unit.

Figure l) a detail side ele niodlied type ot a rear truck lllllli. .l lgnre 10 IS a rear LlQViltlOll oi? on oil a the conslruction shown in ui'e1g1 e 11 is a de .l View o? a modified fowl O i foot rest.

Figure 12 is a detail view of a modified type of connection between thesteering column and the platform.

Figure 13 is a detail horizontal section of the construction shown inFigure 12.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings.

In carrying the present invention. into of feet the primary object ofproviding a convertible construction is observed in all in.-

Cir

dividnal elements of constructions, and it will therefore be observedthat the main platform unit 1 is so designed as to provide the oppositeoccupant supporting or seating surfaces 2 and 3, the former constitutinga seat when the device is used as a polycycle as shown in Figure 1 ofthe drawings and the latter performing the same function when theplatform is reversed to be used as a cart or scooter.

From Figure 1 it will be observed that the said platform 1 consists of arelatively narrow front section 1 and a widened rear seat-portion 5 toprovide in effect a saddle which the occupant may straddle toconveniently propel the device. T he relatively narrow "end rl'of theplatform has fitted thereto a novel steering; unit designated gencrallyas S, while the rear portion 5 carries a novel truck unit T, both ofwhich are capable of 'adjnstably supporting the platform 1 inv elevatedpositions.

Referring first to'the steering unit Fl it is to be observed that thesame is held to the platform 1 by means of the opposite bearing); blocks6 and 7 which are bolted or otherwise secured to the platform by thetl'astenings 8 and project forwardly there from to provide the spacedbearing surfaces 9 and 10 for the flanged nut or washer elements lV of alocking device D, which also includes the bolt llthat may pierce or passthrough the column diametrically, as will later appear. For the purposeof maintain ing the properspaced relation between the forwardlyprojecting ends of the bearing blocks 6 and 7 a spreader block or filler12 may be interposed between the front ends thereof and held in place bythe fastening-S 13. It will therefore be apparent that the said bearing;blocks may be accurately maintained in proper spaced relation to providethe necessary clearance to permit of access to the locking device 11 bywhich the several parts of the vertical steering column are held inplace and alsoadjnstcd.

The said steering; column proper of the unit S may include in itspreferred embodiment a pair of opposite post forming; members 141. and15 which are separated by the. relatively movable or adjustableintermediate handle carrying section 16. whereby the journal ends (Land'7). of the members it and 15 i'nay be spaced apart as indicated at 0below the end of the said member 16 to pro-- vide the necessaryclearance for the wheel 17. In this embodiment of the inventiontherefore, the wheel 17 is journalled on the axle unit consisting of thebushing and bolt 18 referred to and the said bolt constitutes a supportfor the oppositely disposed foot rest members 19.

One of the novel and distinctive features of the steering unit is therelatively adjustable and extensible characteristic of the steeringcolumn. As previously indicated. be post forming members 1 1-. and 15may be spaced apart by the intermediate handle carrying member 16. thewhole being; rclatively adjustable in a vertical direction to enable theplatform 1 to be elevated to meet the needs of the growing; child aswell as the section 16 being; adapted to be independently elevated. Thatis to say, the relatively stationary members la and 15 are provided witha plurality of udjustn'icnt openings 20 for registering with theopenings 16 of the handle section to receive the bolt ll. of the lockingdevice D. whereby when it dcsired to elevate the platform l, the bolt ofthe locking device may be removed to allow the platform to be freelyraised on same to a new position with reference to wheel 17. at the sametime permit the handle section 16 to be moved upwardly betwe n the parts1 1. and 15 a distance corres Minding to twice the elevation of theplatform. thereby meeting the needs of the growth of the trunk and armsas well as the growth of the legs. Thus it will be seen that theelevation of the platform may be readily cil'cclcd si multanconsly withthe adjustment of the handle (I2l1l \'lllQ' member 1. .3. whereupon thebolt may be reinserted through the proper openings of both the men'ibcrsll. 15 and. 16 and the cupped washers \V brought into bearing; relationwith the surfaces 9 and 10. It will of course be nnderstoml that therear end of the platform 1 is adju ted .crtically to the same b \t oithe front :nd by ad. justing the truck T which will. be later referredto.

A further distinctive feature of the invention resides in arranging thehand rest mcmbers 23 at one edge of the handle member 10, whereby in theoriginal form of the device the said hand hold members will assume aposition relatively close to the seat portion of the platform to:n-commmlalc the short arm length of a small child. and. on the otherhand by simply reversing; the position of the handle member 16 the handrc may be shifted to the front edge of the 1 wring column to therebyincrease the stretch ol the arm length by several inches.

For the purpose of maintaininn pnsi forming members H and .15 inclamping cngag'ement with the handle member 1b at the lllf) upper end ofthe steering column a suitable 1:10

holding bolt 24 maybe utilized, this holding bolt being also adapted toperform the function of a pivot or fulcrum when the device is used as acart and the handle member 16 performing the function of a tongue by jwhich the cart is pulled.

In view of the foregoing it will be apparent that the steering unit Sessentially comprises relatively fixed members which constitute journalsupports for the wheel of the steering unit,and which are adjustablyconnected to the platform, and a relatively telescopic handle memberwhich may be elevated to correspond to the riseor a multiple. of therise in level of the platform and thereby provide a rigid perpendicularhandle, said rigidity being due to both bolts 21 and Qlengaging themembers 14-46. When the bolt 24: constitutes the only holding means forthe handle and acts as a pivot or fulcrum as previously described, thehandle serves as a tongue.

The truck unit T is purposely constructed with a view to providing acomfortable seat for the occupant of the device when the same isconverted from a car type of toy into a cart, and to this end it will beobserved that the said truck unit preferably consists of theoppositelegs or pedestals 25 which may be secured to the platform by thefastenings 26. These legs are provided along their rear edge with aplurality of spaced axle receiving openings 27 for enabling the platformto be elevated with reference to the rear axle to correspond with theelevation of the front end on the steeringpost when used as a car typeof toy, and are also provided with another series of spaced openings 28for performing the same function when the platform is reversed to beused as a cart. The steering unit is of course reversed in the platformwhen changing from the car type of toy to ,the cart type by taking apartthe wheel and journal supports from the handle section and reassemblingin the platform section from the other side.

The opposite legs or pedestal members 25 are preferably maintained inspaced apart relation through the provision of the slat or brace B andare also made further secure by the novel rear axle unit designatedgencrally as 29. This unit comprises a relatively hollow pipe section30for abutting against the inner face of the members 25 and isinternally threaded to receive the axle bolts 31 for carrying the rearwheels 32 of the truck. It will of course be understood that suitablewashers 33 may be employed in connection with the bolts 31 to properlyhold the wheels in position. Thus, when the platform is reversed thelegmembers constitute the sides of the chair-like rest, and also act asguides for the wheels and the transverse web or brace B constitutes theback 34. It will therefore be apparent that the truck 'unit Tessentially includes a pair of leg or pedestal forming members 25 connected by the brace B, and said legs having adjustable journal bearingsfor the rear axle unit 29 carrying the wheels 82 arranged on oppositesides of the device.

By reason of the novel formation of the steering unit S and the truckunit T it will be apparent that when the device is used as a straddlevehicle or polycycle, the platform 1 may be elevated to any one offivedifferent levels by simply adjusting the front end of the'platform onthe steering column and also adjusting the rear axle to a correspondingopening of the series 27 in the rear leg or pedestal members 25. In thisconnection it may also be noted that by securing the opposite ends ofthe platform in different nonregistering positions with reference to theadjustment openings on the steering post and rear truck unit, the saidplatform may be supported at different inclinations, that is obliquelywith reference to the horizontal position assumed by the platform whenit is supported in matching or registering positions on the steeringpostand truck unit. When the device is to be used as a cart that ispulled instead of propelled, the platform 1 may be reversed so that thepedestal mem bers 25 constitute in effect a chair orback rest for theoccupant of the vehicle while his feet may be conveniently placed. onthe foot rests 19. In this form of the toy the handle member 10 isadjusted between the post forming member i l and 15 to perform thefunction of a tongue or similar draft member. To enable the tongue tohave a relatively free swinging movement on the pivot bolt 24, the nuton the same should not be drawn up tight, but when the device is. to beused as a scudder or scooter the handle member 16 may be held rigidly inthe upright position by tightening the bolt 2a or by the addition of alike bolt 2% in the mild k cent registering holes of member 16 andmembers 14land 15 to thereby adjust the entire handle to meet thestanding position of the occupant, which is the position assumed inoperating a toy of this type.

A modification of the steering post unitis shown in Figure 7 of thedrawings. wherein a tubular wood or metal posted is employed, the samebeing bifurcated at its lower end 4:1 to receive the wheeled while theupper end telescopically receives an adjustable handle carrying member44 which post is suggested in Figure 8 wherein the column 47 is providedwitn a transverse slot 48 for adjustably accommodating the handlecarrying member 49 while the'lower end of said post is formed to providea j ournal bearing 50 for the wheel 51.

In Figures 9 and 10 a skeleton type of combined truck and back rest isshown. In thisi'nodil'ication the sides or legs 52 of the truck aresubstantially U-shaped metallic members having adjustment openings inone arm thereof for receiving the axle unit of the truck. F or thepurpose of bracing the legs 52 against side thrust and also constitutinga back rest when the platform is reversed to provide a cart, the saidlegs 52 are connected by the cross stays 5e shown in Figure 10.

A modified type of foot rest is shown in Figure 11 of the drawings,wherein the axle 55 of the steering unit constitutes means for clampingthe oppositely disposed angular pieces 56 in position.

It is also apparent that when reversing the platform from one form oftoy to the other it is only necessary to disassemble the handle carryingshaft fromthe steering post unit, and remove same from the platform andreverse its position with reference to the platform and then reassemblethrough the post opening in the platform.

Figures 12 and 13 show a still further modified means for rotatablysupporting the post of the steering unit by utilizing the .locl'cingbolts 11 and 11 or their equivalent to bear on the collars or plates andlVithout further description it is thought that the distinctivestructural characteristics of the invention will be readily apparent,and it will therefore be obvious that the device provides a readilyconvertible toy which fully carries into execution the objectsheretofore outlined. That is to say, the invention provides convertiblevehicle including a reversible platform 1 having opposite seatingsurfaces, one end of said platform being supported by the wheeledsteering unit while the opposite end is supported by a combined truckand chair unit which in one form of the vehicle constitutes a truckjournal for the rear axle and in the cart form constitutes a chair forsupporting the occupant in an upright seated position. And, it will ofcourse be understood, that modifications may be resorted to inconnection' with minor details of construction without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle of the class described inclnding a rear wheeledtruck unitand a steering wheel unit, and a reversible platform having oppositeseating surfaces and adapted to be adjust-ably connected at oppositeends thereof respectively with the steering wheel unit and the reartruck unit to constitute an occupant propelled vehicle or a type adaptedto be pulled.

2. A vehicle of the class dcscribed including a wheeled rear truck unitand a front steering wheel, a reversible platform having combinedclniirforming and truck constituting journal members fitted to oppositesides thereof and provided with means for adjustably engaging with theaxl of the rear wheeled truck unit.

A vehicle of the class described in cluding a platform having oppositeseating surfaces, a relatively :uljustablo whcclod steering unit forsupporting the front cnd of said platform whereby the same may beelevated,- and a combined rcar truck and chair unit for adjustablysupporting the rear end of the platform whereby the same may be elevatedto different levels and also reversed to convert the toy fromoccupantpropelled type of vehicle to a type adaptcd to be pulled.

at. A vehicle of the class described including a platform havingopposite seating surfaces, a combined wheel truck and chair unitadjnstably supporting the rear end of the platfor1n,-aml an adjustablewheeled steering unit carrying the front end of said platform andincluding a relatively lixcd post portion and a relatively adjustablehandle carrying portion adapted to be vertically adjusted with. theplatform.

A vehicle of the class dcsrribcd iucluib ing a platforn'i, a wheeledtruck unit for supporting the rear end, of said platform. and a wheeledsteering unit carrying thin front end thereof, rid steering unitcomprising a post consisting of spaced scctious and coi'istituting ajournal for the 'whccl of the unit, handle carrying means having arelatively telescopic engagement bctwccn said sections. and means forsecuring the platform and handle in different adjusted positions on thepost.

6. A vehicle of the class described including a platform, a wheeledtruck unit for supporting the rear end of the platform. a. wheeledsteering unit for carrying the front end of said platform, said steeringunit comprising relatively fixed post means having the wheel of the unitjournal therein, an adjustable handle carrying mcmbcr. and a lockingdevice for securing the platform to the post and also securing thehandle carrying means within the post. said locking dcvice including abolt engaged with bearing elements at each end thereof and providing anextended bearing between the post and the front end of said platform '7.A vehicle o f the class described including a platform. a wheeled truclcunit for adjustahly supporting the rear cud of said plat-form. and awhcclcd stccring unit for carrying the front end of said 'ilatform, saidill) Hill

unit including a relatively fixed wheel carry m post provided withadjustment openings,

a handle carrying member adjustable with.

reference to the post and having openings for registering with theOPGIllllgl-l. in the post, and I cans for securing the front end of theplatform and the handle carrying n'icinber to the post at anyone of aplurality of relatively elevated positions.

8. A vehicle of the class described. includ ing a platform, a wheeledtruck unit for ad justahly supporting the rear end of the plat form, anda wheeled. steering unit for carrying the front end thereof, saidsteering unit comprisin gga wheel. carryingmember and a relativelyadjustable handle carrying;- member adapted to be locked with the postat any one of a plurality of positions, and also adapted to serve ashinged tongue when secured to the post by its lower end only.

9. A vehicle of the class described includ ing a reversible platform, awheeled truck unit for supporting the rear end of said platform, and awheeled steering unit for carrying the front end thereof, said steeringun1t includmg a handle carrying member adapted to be locked w th thepost at two points to provide a relatively rigid extensible steeringcolumn, and also adapted to be secured to the post at one end only toprovide a relatively hinged draft tongue.

10. A vehicle of the class described includ ing a reversible platformhaving; opposite seating surfaces, a wheeled combined truck and chairunit for the rear end of said platform, and a wheeled steering unitcarrying the front end thereof, said steering unit 111- cluding avertically extensible handle carry- 'ing member and means whereby thesaid member may be vertically adjusted coaxially with the axisof thepost or pivoted in the line of saidaxis to constitute a draft 11. Avehicle of the class described including a reversible platform having;opposite seating surfaces, a. wheeled steering unit carrying; the frontend of said platform, and

a combined truck and chair unit arranged in the rear end of saidplatform and includmg side members. means for connecting said sidemembers to brace the same against lateral thrust and also constitute aback rest, and an axle llllllltl-Chllsllftbly carried by sa1d sidemembers.

the front end of said platform, and a handlecaii'rying member adjustablyinterlocked w' ,h a portion of said eteerii'ing unit and hav inp; handrest means arranged eccentric to the axis of said member whereby whensaid. member is reversed the said hand rest will occupy a positiondiametrically opposite the first mentioned position.

l t. in a vehicle of the class describecha platform, spaced. bearingblocks carried by the platform, a front steering unit including; a postrotatably mounted. in said bearing blocks, and means carried by saidpost for positioning; the platform. thereon and con stituting; a bearingfor engaging the upper and lower wear surfaces of said bearing blocks.

15. A vehicle of the class described includinp; a reversible platformhaving opposite seatino; surfaces, side members secured thereto andprojecting to both sides of the opposite seating surfaces of theplatform. said side members being; provided with a pluralit of alinedaxle receiving openings, and a wheeled truck unit including an axleadapted to be inserted in the openines at either one face or the otherof the platform.

16. A vehicle of the class described including a reversible platform,opposite side members having; axle receiving: openings arranged inrelatively oblique alinement to the said platform, whereby the length ofthe wheel base is increased as the platform is adiusted to higherlevels.

, In testimony whereof ll hereunto ailix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

ilflEllER GEO. HILPERT.

